Riot in Juvenile Prison (1959)

[bunniefuu]

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NARRATOR:

On Tuesday, July 7th,

the grounds of Ditman Hall

State Training School

were almost deserted.

Except for the boys

in solitary cells,

the juvenile inmates were

working on the building

of a new road

at the rear of the prison.

A majority of the guards

had been assigned

to watch them.

It was a moment that seemed

made-to-order for what was

to take place.

With the prison

weakly guarded,

the first violent incident

of open rebellion against

the harsh and brutal

administration in the prison

was ready to explode.

At 10 minutes after 3:00,

a boy named Robert Glen,

who had pleaded illness,

sneaked out of the dormitory.

In his possession was a key

that he had made himself.

It was a key that could lead

some of the boys to freedom,

or to sudden death.

Hey, Eddie.

How do you like this?

-I told you I could make a key

to get us out of here.

-Okay.

-You got the wrench?

-Yeah.

What about that screw

at the gate?

He was just letting

the truck through.

All right,

now you get Pete out first,

and then the other guys,

and I'll meet you upstairs.

[CLATTERING]

-You think you'll make it?

-I'll make it.

Then I'll find a way to get

the screw that did this to me.

Okay, come on. Blow.

Take the back road

to get to the storm drain.

Come on.

Hello?

This is Colonel Walton.

[ALARM WAILING]

The alarm!

If they try to use those g*ns,

teach them a lesson.

Come on. You first, Pete.

You're gonna need time.

You gotta stay with us,

we can't wait for you.

Come on.

They're in the drain.

Get them before

they reach the ramp.

Come on!

Whoa, give him a hand,

come on.

The screws!

All right,

they're asking for it.

[CRIES OUT IN PAIN]

[GROANING]

You k*lled them,

you lousy stinking screws,

you k*lled them!

Okay, round them up.

The minute something

like this happens,

the administration is attacked

by you newspaper men.

We're blamed

for the whole mess.

The public elected me Governor

for two successive terms,

because it wanted me

to crack down on crime

in this state.

We've tried to do that.

Juvenile delinquency

develops into adult crime.

So, we cracked down on crime

at its inception.

How, by slugging the kids?

Giving them slop for food?

Not appropriating enough money

for adequate training?

We've done what

we thought was right.

All right,

it hasn't worked out

the way we wanted it to.

-Changes are being made.

-You firing Walton?

No, no. Walton stays.

What are you gonna do?

Give him a raise for k*lling

those two kids?

Those boys had g*ns.

They shot at Walton

and the guards.

If you're attempting

to put halos over their heads,

you're wrong.

Walton is the best

coordinator in the entire

training school system.

I can't afford to lose him.

The public won't accept that.

We're going to try

new methods.

Radical methods.

If they work, the public

will go along with them.

You men know Dr. Paul Furman,

from his work at overhauling

the state probation program.

Dr. Furman has just been

appointed Special Adviser

at Ditman to work with Walton.

Will he still be taking

his orders from Walton?

He'll have complete

jurisdiction and complete

responsibility

for the success or failure

of his methods.

It's being dumped square

in your lap, Dr. Furman.

How're you gonna handle it?

Well, I've got lots of ideas.

Some of them may be good,

some of them may be bad.

You'll find out.

Those are human beings

you're going to be

experimenting with.

That's right. Human beings

with desires, fears,

ambitions, inhibitions.

You name it, they've got it.

If you want a guarantee

that what I'm going to do

is going to be as simple

as making two and two four,

then deal with arithmetic,

gentlemen, not human beings.

Anything else?

Yes. What'll be your first

move at Ditman?

Well, you can tell

your readers,

that I am experimenting

with human beings.

What I'm going to do

is drastic.

But I think the situation

calls for something drastic.

Ditman Hall will be

the first reform institution

to become co-educational.

[BOYS CHEERING AND WHISTLING]

All right, girls, hurry up.

Be sure to bring all your

luggage with you.

Stand in front of the bus.

Fast, fast, that's it.

-Well, here we are.

Bunch of female guinea pigs.

-[CHUCKLES]

At least from the sound

of those boys, we don't

look like guinea pigs.

Come on, single file.

What are you trying to do,

prove you're a girl?

Don't knock it, Miss Hartwell.

They brought us here to make

the boys feel at home,

didn't they?

You're holding up the line,

Babe, get moving.

Wise guy, huh,

showing your leg.

What, are you jealous?

[BOYS WHISTLING]

Not now, I'm not.

BESS: Step lively.

Get going.

You guys keep away

from that broad over there.

Got my eye on her.

-And nobody get in the way.

-Yeah?

If Eddie was out of the jug,

you wouldn't talk so big.

BESS: All right, girls.

Single file around to the

administration building.

And be sure and make out

your entrance card

in triplicate.

You wanna know what I think,

Dr. Furman?

I'll tell you what I think.

I've seen stupidity before.

I've seen hare-brained,

crackpot ideas before.

But I've never seen

anything like this.

I think you're a fool.

And I think the Governor's

a fool for letting you

pull off this kind of a stunt.

Does the Governor know

how you feel?

Got it in writing.

And I also told him that

I give eggheads like you

just about three months

to cut their own throats.

You still think you can

straighten these boys

out with burlap parties,

solitary wards,

cruelty, killings?

You know, Furman,

the day will probably come

when you'll be looking

at the business end of

a loaded g*n or the sticking

end of a knife.

Let's hear what you have

to say then about killings!

Now look, Walton,

I have to work with you,

but I don't intend fighting

you and the kids.

If you don't want

to help, fine.

But just don't get in my way.

Don't worry.

You've got a free hand,

as long as you represent

the Governor.

But when your ideas backfire,

don't come running to me

to show you how to use

my kind of discipline.

If these kids can't learn

to discipline themselves,

they're no good for society.

If I can't teach them that,

I can't teach them anything.

Try teaching self-discipline

to the punk who led

the escape.

-Eddie Bassett?

-Yes. Just let him get

near a g*n again, Furman.

I wanna see how your

self-discipline works.

Well, we know exactly

where we stand, Walton.

Exactly.

You have any

particular orders?

Just one, for the present.

Release Bassett

and the rest of those boys

from solitary.

Are you completely crazy?

You never can tell about

eggheads, Colonel.

Just release those kids.

You were wrong, guys.

That wasn't a skunk that came

in here, it was the k*ller.

-Shut up, Gerton.

-Sure, k*ller, sure.

You think I wanna get shot?

All right, Bassett, out.

-What for?

-I said, get out.

Let go of me, you crumb.

Take it easy, you guys.

You're being released

from the ward.

What are you gonna do,

give us the chair?

Nah, they're gonna let us run

down the storm drain again,

so they can use us

for target practice.

You're coming, Bassett.

Is it on the level

we're being turned loose?

Those are the orders.

Oh, that slug on the head

must have shook Walton loose

on a few brains.

They're from Dr. Furman.

Who's he, the new head screw?

Are you coming, Bassett?

You know,

Pete was gonna get you

for that beating you gave him.

But he can't do it now.

So maybe a few of the other

guys are gonna have to figure

out a way how.

Just try something, Bassett,

that's all I ask.

Just try something.

Oh, you've got a deal,

k*ller.

If you're smart, Bassett,

you'll keep your nose clean

from now on.

Get over to the door.

[GIRLS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Honey, you know how to

make a bed better than that.

Square corners.

Miss Hartwell?

-Yes, Babe?

-Whose idea was this,

a co-ed school?

It certainly wasn't mine.

I think it's like... Wow!

Do we get to date the boys?

Or are we just supposed

to look at them?

You'll do as you're told.

BESS: Grace?

I think you'd better let

the kids get used to the idea.

Fine idea this is.

Even the girls are beginning

to act like animals.

Well, you know, there have

been two sexes in the world

for a long time now,

and the last time I looked,

the system was working out

pretty well.

I doubt if you'll ever

be able to change it.

[CHUCKLES]

I don't want to change it.

It's just that...

-You know how I feel about

these kind of boys.

-Yes, of course I know.

Look, why don't you run over

to administration

and see if you can pick up

our training schedule?

-If they've made one.

-[SCOFFS]

DR. FURMAN: Come in.

-Dr. Furman?

-In here.

-Good afternoon.

-Good afternoon.

-You're a supervisor?

-Grace Hartwell.

Can I pick up

a schedule from you?

If you'll just be seated.

Thank you.

Doctor, what did you expect to

gain by bringing girls here?

You object to

normal relationships between

boys and girls, Miss Hartwell?

Normal, no.

But I hardly call

a corrective institution

normal.

That's right, Miss Hartwell.

That's why I'd like Ditman

to be as unlike an institution

as possible.

The only way we can do

this is to eliminate the

regimentation and monotony.

The unnatural segregation

of boys and girls.

In other words, Doctor,

our girls are here just

for your experiment.

Well, for their benefit

as well as the boys'.

That remains to be seen.

What about sex criminals?

What brought that up?

You said,

normal relationships.

I don't think they are.

Miss Hartwell,

I've been in social work

for a long time now.

I've seen facts and figures.

And one of those facts is,

before you're assaulted

by a sexual psychopath,

you're more likely to be

m*rder*d by a member

of your own family.

Dr. Furman.

I got in to social work

because my younger sister

wound up

in a mental institution

after she was attacked

by a sex psychopath.

I'm sorry.

I guess then we're on

opposite sides of the fence.

I'm here to take orders,

Doctor.

Your schedule.

I'd like it followed

just as it is here.

Very well, Doctor.

It says here that

the boys and girls are

having breakfast together.

As I said, Miss Hartwell.

No segregation.

This is very sudden, Doctor.

The boys and girls aren't

going to be ready for it.

If trouble comes,

we'd better be prepared.

[GIRLS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Girls! Hurry it up.

You've got exactly 14 minutes

to get to the dining room

for breakfast.

And would you please

try to act like ladies?

These boys have enough ideas

without you giving them

any more.

How about that shape, huh?

Anybody would take me for 20,

at least.

Just fat, that's all.

If I am, I'm getting fat

in the right places.

You know,

I think I'll be a model

when I get out of here.

They make plenty of loot.

Or maybe I'll go on the stage.

Ma was on the stage.

Yeah.

Best striptease act in town.

So that's bad?

Ma always said,

"You don't need a brain,

"As long as you've got

a shape."

You're ready. Va-va-va-voom.

So why'd your ma quit?

She lose her tassels?

Eh, she had me.

And she didn't have

her figure anymore.

Ah, man.

You should have seen her

when I started getting

the shape she used to have.

Got so I was scared

to be around her even.

I was afraid to go home.

What a temper.

She was crazy.

Okay, gals.

That's enough gab. Let's get

this show on the road.

-[SIGHS]

-Well, here we go,

the big experiment.

I'll feel a lot better

when this morning's over.

Come on, kids, hurry it up.

Honey. This is not

a coming out party.

Stiff upper lip.

-Well, I brought

the stag line with me.

-I see.

Look, why don't you take over,

I'm sure you can handle it.

Now you all know

we're trying something new

here this morning.

Boys and girls

eating together.

[GIRLS GIGGLING]

Now you make this work,

and Dr. Furman assures me

that this will become

a regular policy from now on.

All right,

everybody find your places.

Boy, girl, boy, girl,

and so on.

Heard you've been trying

to make yourself the big wheel

while I've been in the ward.

I am the big wheel now,

Bassett.

You think differently,

and you're gonna

lose a few teeth.

[SCOFFS]

I'll see you later.

I'll be waiting.

In the meantime,

stay away from them

two dames over there.

Got my number on them.

You're letting him

get away with this?

Hi, chicks.

Don't move too far apart,

the closer the better.

-Man, listen to him.

-Well, he really hot or

something.

Hey.

BESS: What's going on

over there?

Why... Nothing,

I just slipped, that's all.

Didn't look like a slip to me.

Like I said,

I'll be waiting.

Hi, you tall,

dark and delinquent.

You say you're taking me

to the Ritz tonight?

Uh, see you

in about 11 months, baby,

that's when I get out of here.

I didn't get your name.

File number 763127.

[CHUCKLES]

Otherwise known

as Kitty Anderson.

Kitty.

Hey, that sounds

pretty interesting, I'll have

to read that file sometime.

You know,

I have a strange habit.

I like to wear clothes

on the street.

Oh, good.

Only trouble is,

I couldn't pay for them,

so I just helped myself.

I mean, what's a girl

supposed to do when

there's no money in the house,

forget about wearing clothes,

or something?

You know, you could

catch a cold that way?

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

You know, I didn't get

your name either.

My name is Eddie Bassett.

File number 389412...

Something, I don't know.

That's cute.

Now tell me,

just what got you your

vacation in here?

Would you believe it, $4.17?

That's all this guy had left

in the cash register.

You know something,

we lost money on the deal.

The g*n cost us $8.

You're just

a terrible businessman.

Pretty bad.

Hey.

What are you trying to do,

use up all his words before

I get a chance to talk to him?

Uh, something bothering you,

blondie?

Just that witch over there,

honey. Now if you...

Hey, hey, hey. I'm busy.

You eat, huh?

Now, where were we?

I know where you are.

You're nowhere.

[KIDS SCREAMING]

[ALL CLAMORING]

[UTENSILS CLATTERING]

Come on, come on, come on!

All right, everyone!

All right!

BOYS: Screws! Screws!

All right, take your places.

Well, I hope you're satisfied,

Furman.

Your whole batty idea

of having boys and girls

eat together

has got just what

was coming to it.

You can't treat this kids

the way you treat the kid

who lives next door.

They're vicious. Every one

of them has broken the law,

or they wouldn't be here.

I'll be filing a report

to the Governor

this afternoon.

You might also inform

the Governor that I've done

some checking myself.

Bad blood's existed

between Eddie Bassett

and the Killion boy

ever since they were

committed to Ditman.

They were the only ones

involved in the fight.

If Bassett was still

in the ward, there never

would have been a fight.

Now, are you calling off

this deal of mixing the kids

together at meals?

As much as you'd like

to see me admit failure, no.

I'm not changing anything.

Go right ahead, Furman.

Dig your grave just as deep

as you like.

[KNOCKING AT DOOR]

Come in.

-You wanted Bassett?

-Get your hands off.

Let him alone.

He refused to come up here.

That's why we had to drag him.

Why did you refuse, Bassett?

Look, screw, you wanna

throw me in the ward,

you just go ahead.

Just don't give me any

song and dance with it.

I'd like to talk

to Bassett alone.

You'd better keep

one of the guards with you.

I said alone.

If you need any help,

just press the buzzer

on your desk.

All right. Sit down.

I said I don't want any

malarkey from you.

And I said sit down.

Well, let's get

one thing straight, Eddie.

I don't want any malarkey

from you either.

I don't get paid enough

to take it from you.

So go take a flying jump,

then. Nobody asked

you to come here.

Just the Governor.

He seems to think you kids

are important enough.

Is that why you hire

screws like Walton

to sh**t kids?

Two boys were k*lled.

It could have been two guards.

Those are the crumbs

it should have been.

Maybe you didn't know

about Pete and some

of those others being beat up.

I knew.

There will be no more beatings

at Ditman.

Now look, Eddie.

I wanna give you

a square deal.

But I can't do it

unless you let me.

-Why me?

-Because you're the leader.

But don't think

that makes you important.

There's one like you

in every school like Ditman.

You'd like to find out

how important I am, Doc.

What's the matter with you,

Eddie?

-You like it here

in reform school?

-Oh, come on...

Now what kind

of a dopey question is that?

Well, you act as though

you never want to get out.

Oh, I'll get out.

I'll get out, Doc.

And there won't be a cop

or screw that'll ever

get me back...

-Are you through?

-No.

We're starting a new program

here at Ditman, as of today.

Now, I'm gonna give you

a chance to stay with it,

and make something

out of yourself.

But I'm just advising you,

there are worse places

in this state than Ditman.

Walton could have you

transferred to any

one of them.

You mean you would.

Uh-uh.

If that happens,

then I'll quit my job.

Because if you're a failure

here, then I am too.

You're cracked.

What have I got to do

with your staying here?

Well, think about it

for a while.

When it sinks in, come back,

we'll talk about it.

That's all.

You mean I can just...

I can walk out of here?

Without teeing off on me

'cause of this morning?

I said you can go.

No ward, no...

[SIGHS]

What about...

Stu Killion?

The same for him.

You're a weird-y, Doc.

Just don't make sense.

NARRATOR: Paul Furman

knew that Eddie Bassett lived

by the usual code

of a delinquent.

Hit, or be hit.

A code that grew out of

deep resentment and hate.

His only hope for Eddie

was to learn what had caused

this hate in the boy,

and then try to remove it,

before it warped

his entire life.

[GIRLS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

What's the word, Miss Monahan?

Are they going to do

anything to Eddie Bassett

and that Stu character?

Well, they're not exactly

going to put them in the hall

of fame, but nothing serious.

-Well, hi, Cleopatra.

-Huh?

[LAUGHS]

She had men fighting

over her, too.

Oh, I'm sorry about that,

Miss Monahan.

Frankly, honey, if I'd had

men fighting over me

when I was your age,

I wouldn't have

a job like this now.

But, honey, this is

a bad place to start trouble.

Try and see that it doesn't

happen again, huh?

Yes, ma'am.

I'll stay away from

that crazy Stu Killion.

What about Eddie Bassett?

Do you know much about him,

Miss Monahan?

A little.

I talked to Dr. Furman.

He thinks Eddie has brains,

if that's what you mean.

KITTY: Maybe Dr. Furman

could teach him a trade,

or something.

[CHUCKLES]

Got your eye on the future?

Well, I think

Eddie's real cool.

If that's what you mean.

I mean I wish

I was 16 again.

But a boy with brains

always has a chance.

Remember that, Kitty.

Okay, dolls.

Lights out.

You conniving little drip!

I oughta cave you in!

-What's the matter with you?

-Oh, don't give me that

innocent guff.

Not after that line you had

at Monahan about Eddie.

What, are you making

that your business?

Eddie is my business.

And I'm not letting you,

or any other wise guy chick

cut in.

What's the matter?

You're sore because Eddie

forgot to look at your shape!

You little...

[GIRLS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

GIRLS: [SHOUTING]

Get her! Get her!

What's going on here?

Cut it out! Cut it out!

Stop it!

Stop it, do you hear me?

Get up!

All right, Babe,

what started this?

Nothing.

I'll get to you later.

You're coming with me.

Get up!

Let's go.

There.

Now that will stop

the bleeding.

All right, you can go back

to your dormitory now.

-Are you sure

you feel all right?

-Oh, it's okay, honest.

Thanks, Dr. Furman.

You coming, Miss Hartwell?

Oh, no, Kitty.

You run along ahead.

I want to talk to Dr. Furman.

You wanna tell me that

my policies are responsible

for this.

Would I be wrong?

No. But I want to tell

you that the fight

in the dining room

and the fight

in the girls' dormitory

is just about what I expected.

Well, I was hoping

you'd expect better results,

Doctor.

Officially perhaps,

all the inmates here

are your responsibility.

But morally,

Miss Monahan and I feel

a responsibility to the girls.

If you didn't,

I wouldn't want you here.

Thank you.

You think that the boys

and girls being here

together like this

is a dynamite situation.

Do you believe that males

and females can get along?

Or has every man

come to look like the man

who attacked your sister?

Doctor, you have no right

to talk to me like that!

I think I do, Miss Hartwell.

You say that you have

a moral responsibility

to the girls.

Well, I say you have one

for the boys, too.

They're also human beings,

you know.

I got into this work, Doctor,

to help young girls.

I didn't expect anything

like this.

Perhaps you'd rather

replace me with someone more

sympathetic to your views.

May I call you Grace?

If you want to.

All right then, Grace.

You know,

I'd be an idiot if I thought

that I could bring about

these changes by myself.

This is a team operation.

I need the help of every man

and woman on my staff.

Now, the girls like you.

I've seen that already.

It's very important that

we get the trust of every kid

in this place.

And now,

our job is doubly hard.

Because the two boys

who were k*lled,

because of the beatings,

because of all

the other mistreatment.

No, I don't want

to replace you.

On the contrary,

I want to feel that

you'll back me up.

To be honest, I...

I don't see eye to eye

with you.

But I'll give you my word

that I'll do everything

possible to help.

Well, that's good enough.

And tomorrow, I'm giving

personality and aptitude tests

to the boys and girls.

Undoubtedly, there will

be some problems.

I'd appreciate if you'd work

along with me.

All right, Doctor.

I'd be glad to.

Good night, Doctor.

Good night, Grace.

NARRATOR: Dr. Furman

began a series of tests

which he hoped

would put the boys and girls

on the right track to mental

stability and security.

Each test had its own meaning.

Each test told Furman

something new.

At the conclusion of every

individual series,

he knew more about the boy

or girl than the youngsters

knew themselves.

The results were encouraging.

But the most difficult cases

were yet to come.

Well, these are

our last three.

So far, the reactions

have been good.

Let's hope it stays

that way with our

problem children here.

Matches, Dink.

When I snap my finger,

you'll wake up.

You won't remember anything

we've said here,

but you'll feel fine.

Wake up.

Hey, Doc,

you mean that's all there is

to this hypnotizm stuff?

That's all.

What did we do?

I don't remember nothing.

You gave me some information.

You can leave now, boys.

What's the matter with him?

Is he tired or something?

Oh, he'll be along

in a minute.

Thanks, boys.

Yeah. Sure.

Why are you holding him?

Well, Eddie's our main

problem, not those boys.

They just follow him

like sheep.

Let's see what trouble

we've really got.

Eddie,

when I touch your forehead,

you'll wake up.

You won't remember anything

you've said here,

but you'll feel fine.

You understand?

Wake up.

Where's Dink and Matches?

I finished with them,

they left.

You put me to sleep.

What was the big idea?

Well, I wanted you

to tell me about yourself.

You want to hear something

of what you said?

You mean you took down

what I said on that thing?

Well, just for us to hear,

no one else.

-I don't wanna hear nothing,

I'm cutting out...

-Wait, Eddie.

What for?

Look, lady,

you're ganging up on me,

and I don't like it.

Nobody's ganging up on you.

Dr. Furman's been doing tests

on all the kids.

-You mean all the kids

are getting this jazz?

-That's right.

Most of them like the idea.

[CLICKS TONGUE]

They're squares.

All right, Doc.

You go ahead

and have your fun.

Eddie.

I want your co-operation.

This is the only way

I can get it.

Now, I'm going to play

back part of the tape that

I think's important.

Listen closely.

EDDIE: [ON TAPE]

Yeah. I remember okay.

I remember plenty.

DR. FURMAN: [ON TAPE]

You said it was

your eighth birthday.

Now why should that be

so important to you?

EDDIE:

It was my birthday, all right.

But my old man,

he did all the celebrating.

He came home,

brought me a present.

He slugged me in the mouth.

I remember that ring he wore.

I'll always remember

that stinking ring on the hand

he hit me with.

That had to take

four stitches in my lip.

Two of my teeth

were knocked out.

DR. FURMAN:

What did your mother do?

She was too drunk herself

to know what was happening.

That's a lie!

You tricked that up!

I never said any of that stuff

about my mother and father!

You try to tell anybody

I said that, man,

I'll get you.

Okay.

You try to tell them now.

Let's see

how much proof you got.

I feel sorry for him.

Must have been like

hitting an exposed nerve.

Well, for his sake,

I hope I can change him.

You know,

a kid can't cope with

that much hate.

It's just as tough on him

as it is on everyone else

around him.

Not very clinical, Paul.

What?

I watched you

during the tests.

You weren't just a doctor

to those boys.

No?

What was I?

Oh.

A Dutch uncle perhaps.

You're the kind that...

That scolds a boy,

and then gives him money

for ice cream.

I'm glad you asked me

to work with you, Paul.

I...

I think I'm beginning

to see things differently.

I was hoping you'd say that.

Oh, I see.

Rehabilitating me

at the same time, huh?

Well, I guess I owe you

some ice cream, too.

That a promise?

I look forward to it.

Are you, uh, announcing

your new program tomorrow?

10:30 in the dining room.

I'll be interested to hear

what your plans are.

I'll have all the girls there.

Good luck, Paul.

Thanks, Grace.

[KIDS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Now what are the screws

trying to pull?

I don't know.

But Walton and the k*ller

look like they was at a wake.

I'll see you guys later.

It's the dame.

How's Eddie expect

to put the make on a chick

in this place?

[CHUCKLES]

-Oh, hi.

-Hi.

I just heard about

the rumble you had with

that blonde chick last week.

Yeah, well she oughta

be scrambled, but good.

-You okay? You're not

hurt or anything, huh?

-No.

She's big, but no muscle.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

What's the matter?

Those two over there

bug you, huh?

What if they do?

You string along with me,

Babe darling,

we'll be able to take care

of both of them.

How?

They really bug ya.

I'll figure something out.

We'll figure it out together,

huh, chick?

Well.

Here goes.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

Here it comes.

Let it.

Everything he does will

backfire right in his teeth.

I've seen these eggheads

come and go before.

[ALL TALKING INDISTINCTLY]

All right, quiet!

-DR. FURMAN: Quiet, please.

-I hear he has big plans

for us.

Those screws have

only one idea,

and it's to stick their nose

in everybody else's business.

Quiet, please.

Quiet!

[SILENCE]

Thanks.

Now this won't take very long.

I just want to tell you that

we're gonna install

a new training program

here at Ditman.

The idea is simply this.

As of this minute,

Ditman Hall is no longer

a prison.

[KIDS LAUGHING]

[KIDS TALKING INDISTINCTLY]

All right, all right.

If you've got it out

of your systems, I'll go on.

Now, Ditman Hall costs

the taxpayers a lot of money.

Well, they want

something for that money.

When you get out of here,

they expect you to be

responsible citizens.

Boys that know a trade,

and can earn good money.

Girls that can earn

a decent living.

Raise a family. Run a home.

Man, what's that creep

trying to feed us now?

With our new training

program here,

we propose to do just that.

We've completed our tests.

Those of you who like

to work with your hands,

will be developed

in that kind of training.

Those of you who are artistic,

creative, inventive,

well, you can enroll

in courses that will develop

that kind of training.

And so on down the line.

For recreation,

we'll have athletic events,

movies twice a week,

and a dance right here

in the gym every two weeks.

So what?

This place is still nothing

but a stinking pen.

KIDS: Yeah!

Something tells me

he's got a little too much

faith in human nature.

[ALL TALKING INDISTINCTLY]

I haven't finished yet!

You only think you ain't, Doc.

[ALL AGREEING]

Want me to shut

these punks up?

Stay right here.

As I've told some

of you before,

if I'm finished here,

then you are, too.

I've got just one more

thing to tell you.

There will be no more

armed guards at Ditman.

Starting tomorrow,

all the guards are going

to leave.

They'll be replaced

by new members

of the training program.

Don't worry.

You'll be back.

Did you hear that?

Did you hear what he said?

Aren't you glad?

See you later, baby.

You guys know

what's happening?

Sure! We're gonna have a ball.

Those guards

are leaving tomorrow.

That means Andy gets out

of here without us paying him

back for beating Earl.

It's him!

Just left the main building.

Look. That screw Andy's

got it coming to him.

We're gonna get him now.

Now all of you guys,

you keep your mouths shut.

You ain't seen nothing

and you ain't heard nothing.

Come on, we'll wait 'til

he passes the tool shed.

Come on.

Where is he?

Let's wait for him

by the fence.

I hear him coming.

It's the Doc.

Eddie!

Get out of here, Doc.

Get out of here before

you get hurt.

What are you boys doing

out of the dormitory?

You wanna know

how important I am?

Well, I'll tell you

how important I am.

I run this joint.

And you and no other screw

are gonna get in my hair.

Have you kids lost your minds?

You thought you could stop us

from getting that screw that

k*lled Pete and Earl

by having him

shipped out of here.

Well, you were wrong.

I'm gonna give you

one chance to get back

to that dormitory.

[GRUNTS]

BOY: No, not the face!

Don't mark him up.

[ALL PANTING]

Maybe we worked

him over too good.

We didn't have

nothing against him.

Got in my hair, didn't he?

We gotta get that crumb Andy.

Eddie, we'd better not

take a chance.

-Yeah, I had enough.

I'm going back.

-Yeah.

What are you...

Doc, you rat about this

and I'll k*ll you.

Bassett.

I'm not even going

to report you.

Because I won't let

one stupid, ungrateful kid

like you

ruin everything

I'm trying to do.

Just don't you push me, Doc.

Don't worry.

I won't push you.

I'm just going to ignore you.

While I help every

other kid in this place make

something out of themselves.

And you can stand by

and watch.

Now get out of here.

And don't you ever come

near me again.

You're no different

than any other screw.

You're all alike!

NARRATOR: The recreational

and training program

introduced by Dr. Furman

and his staff showed progress

from the beginning.

Most of the young prisoners

responded well.

Animosities and fears began

to dissipate as they learned

the value of teamwork.

Of working and playing

side by side.

But it wasn't until the night

of the first dance

that Eddie Bassett

participated in any

of the activities.

[SWING MUSIC PLAYING]

Think we can find

a few contortions to do

to that music?

Well, we could try.

At least if I break any bones

I'll be dancing with a doctor.

You haven't even said 10 words

since we got here.

What do I have to do?

Keep yakking away

every minute? Huh?

Okay, okay.

We're supposed to be

having a good time.

That's the idea, isn't it?

Yeah, with that Furman

creep watching every move

we make?

What do you mean, creep?

He's trying to give us

a fair shake.

Can't you give him a break?

Oh, come on, huh?

You're as cracked as he is.

Paul, the Bassett boy

just went out.

Well, he knows no one

is to leave this building.

Get lost.

I said, get lost!

What's the idea?

Nobody else is cutting in.

-I just got

a great idea, doll.

-You always got ideas.

No, no. This is a special one.

Bassett and that Kitty dame.

Let's do like we say.

Looking for Eddie?

-You making it your business?

-Look,

what are we knocking

ourselves out for?

You want Eddie?

You got him.

I got other deals.

Look, are you leveling?

Sure. I'm getting my kicks

from that Stu character.

Man, there's a cat

that's gone.

Did you see where Eddie went?

He said for you

to meet him down the hall,

by the supply room.

But we're not supposed

to leave the gym.

Suit yourself.

He's waiting.

Eddie?

-Hiya, chick.

-Stu!

If you're looking for Eddie,

he ain't coming.

-Babe said...

-What do we need Eddie for?

-Gonna have a ball

all by ourselves!

-No...

Fight!

I like it when you fight.

-No!

-Fight!

[KITTY WHIMPERS]

You made me bleed, chick.

You shouldn't have done that!

Get up!

Get up and let her alone!

[KITTY SCREAMS]

[SCREAMING CONTINUES]

[ALL CLAMORING]

[KITTY SCREAMING]

Killion!

Have you lost your mind?

-Thanks.

-For nothing.

Grace! Are you all right?

Yes, Paul. I'm all right.

Better help me with Kitty.

All right, Kitty.

Take it easy,

you'll be all right.

You all right, Kitty?

Paul, we might have

withstood anything but that.

This scandal tops anything

that ever happened at Ditman

under the old administration.

School association, religious

groups, political factions,

all applying pressures.

And rightfully so.

It's either your head or mine,

I can't fight for you.

I can't back you up.

Nobody's told you the good

we did there?

Nobody would listen.

What's happened

is the unforgivable as far

as the public is concerned.

r*pe is the great taboo.

You know it, and I know it.

I've told you before.

The boy who committed

the attack is a psycho.

We proved that.

He didn't belong at Ditman

Hall in the first place.

-Now that he's been

transferred to a mental...

-Oh, you can fight windmills,

I'm not going to.

It's over. Finished.

I'm forced to ask

you to resign.

They used to burn witches

at the stake.

I'm glad I didn't live then.

Goodbye, Governor.

WALTON: [ON PA] This is

Colonel Walton speaking.

As of today,

Ditman Hall is returning

to its old schedule.

[ALL BOOING]

The exact status

of every inmate will be

the same as at the time

that Dr. Furman

took over here.

[YELLING IN PROTEST]

WALTON:

The training program

is discontinued.

Guards are back to stay.

[CONTINUES BOOING]

The matrons will see

that the girls are packed

and ready to leave

by 3:00 tomorrow afternoon.

[ALL SHOUTING]

That is all.

Return to your duties.

You tell Paul I told you so?

I didn't want him to fail,

Bess. He tried so hard.

Well, back to our little

manless world, girls.

Come on, let's go.

Okay, punks, vacation's over.

Let's see how you like

that extra 30 days solitary

you got.

You're gonna lose

all your sunburn.

Oh, just keep talking.

Keep beating your gums.

Get in. Come on!

Yeah, alongside of Walton,

you sound like an angel

playing a harp.

Oh, you ain't gonna

dirty your hands

hitting him, k*ller.

-Where's your rubber hose?

-Throw 'em in.

Come on.

Go on.

I'll take care of this one,

you can go.

I said, you can go.

You know the trouble

with you, Bassett.

You've never been softened up.

That's why you think

you're so tough.

You gonna soften me, screw?

Just enough so you know

who's boss.

Come on and get me, screw,

come on and get me!

[EDDIE GROANS]

No! No! Let me out of here!

Let me at that screw,

I'll k*ll him!

[CONTINUES GROANING]

There you are, Bassett.

All softened up.

Maybe you'll remember

this for a while.

[ALARM WAILING]

You creep!

-What do we do now?

-Get out, there's nothing

else to do!

Eddie, I'm not gonna get

caught in a storm drain again.

We'll get the front, Dink.

This'll take care

of the screws.

Hello, Walton? Hurry it up.

Quick, to the dormitory.

Look, there's Eddie!

That's right, Colonel.

They're up in

the boys' dorm now.

Well, get them!

This time those kids are gonna

get what's coming to 'em.

Colonel says go get 'em!

The first screw

that comes through that door

is gonna get it!

-Eddie, give up.

We ain't got a chance.

-No!

[g*nshots]

-Look at those screws!

-Man, we're really

starting something!

That's right.

We really started something.

You guys hear that?

We started,

and we're gonna finish it.

Either we get Walton now,

or he gets us.

-What do we do?

-We take over the joint!

And we don't give it back,

until we get Walton and those

screws canned out of here.

With a guarantee

that they don't come back.

-BOYS: Yeah! That's right!

-Come on, start showing them!

[ALL CLAMORING]

Come on! Go on!

[EDDIE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

Hold it! Listen up!

Hold it!

Matches, you get

the rest of the guys

and start spreading the word.

Great, let's go.

-Now we grab Walton

and the screws.

-Yeah?

The Governor wants to bargain,

we bargain.

With this pointing

at Walton's gut.

-Crazy, man.

-Come on!

[ALL CLAMORING]

They're going crazy now,

Colonel. Yeah, all of them.

[CLAMORING CONTINUES]

You better come down

here with us.

I'll be right down.

Get the matrons out of there.

Call the state police

at Caster to send more men.

Here. Get the k*ller

out of the ward,

and bring him

to Walton's office.

Come on.

-Walton's gone!

-Get the g*ns!

Break it!

Hey, Eddie, the matrons

are still up in the dorm

with the girls.

All right, leave them there,

the more hostages we got,

the better.

All right, Walton.

Now you listen,

and you listen good.

EDDIE: [ON PA] We got Andy.

If you wanna see him

in one piece again, you get

the Governor on the phone

and you tell him

we want a new deal here.

You're quitting!

And we want it in writing

you ain't never coming back.

You give it to us,

or Andy gets it.

And then the two matrons.

All right, Walton,

you got 10 minutes,

now start making that call.

[CLAMORING CONTINUES]

Get me the Governor.

Hey, you did it!

-You guys see that?

-Yeah.

That's right, Governor.

They're holding Andy hostage

and the two matrons

are in there with the girls.

How can I give in

to their demands?

We can't condone a riot,

Walton.

It would only be a beginning.

Well,

something has to be done!

Those kids mean business!

I tell you, they'll k*ll Andy!

Try to stall them for an hour.

I'll be there by then.

Make sure the state police

keep the kids inside

the gates.

[CLAMORING]

Hey, how do you like it, baby?

The whole joint's ours!

We're gonna get Walton

and these screws fired

out of here once and for all!

Eddie, suppose the Governor

doesn't give in?

Look, please, please,

will you put away the g*ns?

Look, you might k*ll somebody,

it'd mean your whole life.

My life anything out

of your pocket.

Or out of anybody's pocket!

Nobody cares about me!

Eddie, you can't go around

hating people all the time.

You just can't!

Oh, come on!

You sound just like Furman!

What have you been doing,

reading his books?

BOY: Car's coming!

A big one!

[POLICE SIREN WAILING]

Five'll get you 10,

it's the Governor.

Right on time. Hey, k*ller,

you must have been saying

your prayers!

Eddie! Get a load of this!

The Governor's got Doc

with him.

Why did he bring him

here for?

Maybe the Doctor's

coming back, Eddie.

And the girls could stay,

and then I could see you.

I didn't expect to see

Dr. Furman here.

Walton, you asked me

to think of something

to save your guard's life.

Paul is the only one

I could turn to.

Maybe he can help.

He doesn't know if he can,

and I don't know.

But we're willing to try.

Unless you have

some other suggestions.

Just what do you expect to do?

I won't know until

I talk to the boys.

You're going in there

with that g*ng of K*llers?

That's the difference

between us, Walton.

You think they're K*llers,

I don't.

Just see that no one

gets nervous with those g*ns.

Boys,

this is the Governor speaking.

Dr. Furman is coming in

to talk to you.

You can speak

your demands to him.

Nobody's asking for you,

Furman.

Now you keep out of here.

I'm warning you, Doc.

You come in here, you're gonna

wind up with Andy.

BOY: He's still coming!

Oh, that stupid crumb,

why can't he listen?

What's the matter,

is he deaf or something?

-Doc! Keep away!

-Eddie, let him talk!

Hear what he has to say.

BOY: He just came

into the building!

All right.

What do you think,

you got special privileges

or something

walking in here like this?

We want the Governor.

First I'm taking Andy

out of here.

[ALL DISAGREEING]

Sure, Doc.

You just go ahead and try it.

I'm gonna give you a chance

to see just how important

you are, Eddie.

You can k*ll me

and make yourself a big hero.

Or you can hope for a break

from the authorities

by putting down that g*n.

I never asked any favors

from you before,

and I'm not starting now.

Walton once called you kids

a bunch of savage punks.

Who needed disciplinary wards

and beatings to teach you

right from wrong.

Well, this stupid riot here

will prove to a lot of people

that he was right.

But there are some authorities

and a lot of kids

who wanted to see

this program work.

You only stopped us

for the time being.

The work will go on.

We'll find ways.

You mean characters

like you are still gonna keep

sticking their necks out.

Maybe you haven't had

a chance to learn this yet,

Eddie.

But there are more decent

people in this world

than there are bad.

You can't beat them,

they outnumber you,

there are too many of them.

Just a lot of gab.

I don't know what

you're talking about.

I think Kitty does.

Look, you don't hate

everybody, not really, Eddie.

You don't hate me.

That shows you something,

doesn't it?

You gonna come back here,

Doc?

We'll see.

Maybe the Governor will be

in a good frame of mind.

The Governor's waiting

for us all to come out.

NARRATOR:

Dr. Furman had found the key

to the hearts of the boys.

He had made them realize

that there was

a decent world waiting

for those who earned it.

The riot did prove one point.

That most juvenile delinquents

need and want the kind of help

that was given to them

by Dr. Paul Furman.